7 Reasons You May Not Be Finishing What You Start

Have you ever begun a task and never finished it? Have you started something that could make you money and found yourself losing interest in it? Is there a project sitting on your desk or around the house that needs closure?

We’ve all lost interest in things, that’s normal. It’s when we make a habit of losing interest in the same thing or the same types of things that we should be begin looking for underlying reasons.

If you are a woman in business who has made a habit of not finishing what you start, could it be one of these seven reasons?

1. Bored with the task. Are you bored because the task isn’t producing the results you expected? Do you feel it’s too easy and not a challenge or may be it’s not relevant in your life or career at this time? Boredom often occurs when you’re not challenged physically or emotionally. Is it time to broaden your skill level or change what you’re currently doing?

2. Distracted by something more important or exciting. Distraction is probably the number one reason we don’t finish what we begin. A better or more exciting offer or opportunity comes along and we simply leave the task and walk away. Is this lack of focus hurting your business or your self-esteem? Is it time to refocus on your goals?

3. It wasn’t important to us personally. Sometimes we’re handed a job or task that just isn’t important to us – we don’t have a vested interest in it. If you can’t “own” a project or task emotionally, it’s easy to give up out of boredom or frustration.

4. It’s too difficult or out of our skill level. When we’re out of our skill level we can feel uncomfortable or inept and that often leads to frustration. Is it time to call in someone who is more skilled to take over the task? Is it time to learn new skills?

5. It’s uncomfortable so you keep avoiding it. Avoidance happens because something we should be doing makes us emotionally, physically or spiritually uncomfortable. If you are consistently avoiding the same task or type of tasks over an extended period, it’s time to ask yourself what exactly you are avoiding. Is it the task itself or the payoff the task will produce?

6. It’s not what we set out to do in the first place. When someone’s excitement or “emergency” becomes our task or project, it can seem like a burden or a never-ending chore. Is it time to evaluate the situation and talk with others about your dissatisfaction?

7. Too many irons in the fire. This one is HUGE! We begin too many tasks, chores or projects all at the same time and we don’t seem to have the time or energy to finish any of them. Do you consistently have too many irons in the fire? Too many tasks and too little time creates wasted time, disorganization and frustration. Is it time to whittle down your to-do list and prioritize your tasks in order of importance? Is it time to make a commitment to yourself not to begin a new task until the previous one is finished?

Finishing what you start leads to healthier self-esteem, more self-confidence in your ability to succeed and an overall feeling of self-satisfaction.

If you have a pattern of not finishing what you begin, it’s time to ask yourself why. The really good news: Change begins one “aha” moment at a time. You have the power to change what’s not working into habits that are more empowering and successful.

This is such a problem for me. I get excited about new projects and then get distracted or come to a point where I’m not sure what to do next. It’s easy to just put the project aside and move on to the next thing. It’s time to change my thinking.